They've announced a tentative roster of the members of the home run derby next week, with some players undecided and a couple of roster spots open yet. However, there doesn't seem to be any indication that Adam Dunn will participate. The rules have varied over the years on how the rosters are made up. I recall it used to be only voted in players, but I am not sure if it has always been that way. Some I am unsure if Dunn would even be eligible, or if he would want to participate for that matter. Does anybody else feel like this event is right down his alley? If you are looking for players that hit dingers and hit 'em far, than Dunn is the poster child for the event. Maybe it's just me making a silent cry to see him blow everyone away in the competition (barring Bobby Abreu going off again). Any thoughts?

killuminati35

07-04-2006, 07:40 PM

You have to be on the All-Star team roster to participate in Home Run Derby.

Side Note: I think the Home Run Derby is way too over hyped now. It isn't even that fun to watch anymore.

fisch11

07-04-2006, 07:43 PM

I don't remember Dunn taking part in it when he was an All-Star....maybe he just didn't want too. It has lost it's allure over the years, but that doesn't change my desire to see Dunn out there someday. Wishful thinking I guess.

FoReel

07-04-2006, 07:55 PM

Man think if Griffey made the all star team, only three-peat champion in home run derby history. They would have to invite him to it.

Redhook

07-04-2006, 08:05 PM

You have to be on the All-Star team roster to participate in Home Run Derby.

I think this is a stupid rule. Fans would love to see the best home hitters compete in this contest. Dunn is obviously one of the best and hits the ball extremely far. He would be a great contestant. Wily Mo would be good too for the competition. I used to watch this competition all the time. Now, I'll watch it if it's on tv and I'm bored, but I definitely won't go out of my way to make sure I see it. Throw in Dunn, Wily Mo, and Juan Castro ;) and I'd be sure to watch it again this year.

blumj

07-04-2006, 08:13 PM

You have to be on the All-Star team roster to participate in Home Run Derby.

I'm almost positive they made an exception last year, because they needed someone from a different country to do it as an international competition. Does anyone else remember that?

Heath

07-04-2006, 08:23 PM

Maybe to inspire the masses to watch the All-Star HR derby, maybe the league winners decide the homefield for the World Series :rolleyes:

KronoRed

07-04-2006, 08:27 PM

Dump it, it's silly.

blumj

07-04-2006, 09:30 PM

Dump it, it's silly.
The HR derby, or the rule?

KronoRed

07-04-2006, 09:37 PM

The derby

Highlifeman21

07-04-2006, 09:51 PM

They need to go back to the skills contests that happened in the 70s and 80s. I remember going to the ASG @ Riverfront and watching Dave Winfield break mounted glass targets from RF with his arm. IIRC, Andre Dawson was there with him, and Kirby Puckett was trying to compete with them, but didn't come close.

We need to see things like best OF arm, best C arm, and other related fun skills aside from hitting the longball.

Team Clark

07-04-2006, 09:55 PM

They need to go back to the skills contests that happened in the 70s and 80s. I remember going to the ASG @ Riverfront and watching Dave Winfield break mounted glass targets from RF with his arm. IIRC, Andre Dawson was there with him, and Kirby Puckett was trying to compete with them, but didn't come close.

We need to see things like best OF arm, best C arm, and other related fun skills aside from hitting the longball.

After Larkin tore a ligament in his throwing arm they scrapped the skills competition. I was 14 when they had the ALL Star game in Cincy. It was held on my birthday. My mom went all out and bought tickets to the game and the workout. I remember Winfield firing bullets at the glass. I remember Santiago nailing the bullseyes at 2B like it was no big deal. Joe Carter was MASTERFUL in the bunting competition.

max venable

07-04-2006, 10:25 PM

I think the HR Derby is extremely boring...

...but I would like to see what Dunn could do.

dougflynn23

07-04-2006, 10:31 PM

I think this is a stupid rule. Dunn is obviously one of the best and hits the ball extremely far. He would be a great contestant. Wily Mo would be good too for the competition. :( Too bad he's not worthy of being considered an All Star with his sub .200 BA with RISP, current pace to set a modern day record for errors by an OF, and sub .230 overall BA. Time to get off his asse and show us why he deserves to be an All Star.

blumj

07-04-2006, 10:52 PM

The derby
I think it's still fun for the players and the fans who are there, although it would be nice if they'd come up with something more interesting for the tv audience.

smith288

07-04-2006, 11:30 PM

They could do it like the MVP 2005 game and do it by distance.

KronoRed

07-04-2006, 11:36 PM

Or combine it and stick the best defenders out by the wall to try and catch them.

HumnHilghtFreel

07-04-2006, 11:38 PM

I think a skills competition would be great, but I still don't mind watching the HR Derby. Maybe it's because my latest memory is of Abreu going absolutely nuts last year and then basically having a power outage for the rest of the regular season.

cincinnati chili

07-05-2006, 12:10 AM

I think they should let the baseball all stars do a slam dunk competition.

HumnHilghtFreel

07-05-2006, 12:18 AM

I think they should let the baseball all stars do a slam dunk competition.
lol, my money's on Gary Matthews Jr. after this week.

cincinnati chili

07-05-2006, 01:07 AM

I bet Big Papi can slam it in from the free throw line.

Nugget

07-05-2006, 01:10 AM

I'm sure Dunn would much prefer being on the boat in the Bahamas than being invited to the Home Run Derby.

westofyou

07-05-2006, 01:34 AM

I think a skills competition would be great,

Until your starting shortstop throws his arm out in one and misses the last half of the season.

RFS62

07-05-2006, 07:48 AM

Guys, come on.

Where else are you gonna get a chance to hear Chris Berman go "back, back, back, back" a few hundred times an hour?

Highlifeman21

07-05-2006, 07:53 AM

Guys, come on.

Where else are you gonna get a chance to hear Chris Berman go "back, back, back, back" a few hundred times an hour?

It's during that hour I wish I was 100% deaf.

BuckWoody

07-05-2006, 12:23 PM

Guys, come on.

Where else are you gonna get a chance to hear Chris Berman go "back, back, back, back" a few hundred times an hour?
:barf:

I used to think that Berman was one of the best most entertaining sportscasters around. Sadly, I stopped thinking that about 10 years ago. He's terrible.

Aside from Berman's inane yapping, I still enjoy watching the Home Run Derby, fwiw.

HumnHilghtFreel

07-05-2006, 12:29 PM

Until your starting shortstop throws his arm out in one and misses the last half of the season.
Obviously there's a risk for injury, but the guys are at just as much of a risk in the actual all-star game.

Johnny Footstool

07-05-2006, 12:40 PM

Obviously there's a risk for injury, but the guys are at just as much of a risk in the actual all-star game.

Exactly.

westofyou

07-05-2006, 12:44 PM

Obviously there's a risk for injury, but the guys are at just as much of a risk in the actual all-star game.
Yep.... but 1989 was the pits.

crazybob60

07-05-2006, 01:26 PM

I'm almost positive they made an exception last year, because they needed someone from a different country to do it as an international competition. Does anyone else remember that?

I believe they did that with Hee Seop Choi when they needed a guy from a different country, correct?

TeamBoone

07-18-2006, 03:03 PM

I love the HR Derby.... but only when the right guys are in it.

I would love it if they would invite the top HR hitters for the current season in both leagues. If they're not on the AS roster, they can leave after the Derby.

To me, seeing the top guys compete against each other would be exciting.

FutureRedsGM

07-18-2006, 03:18 PM

Team Boone you are right on. Take the top 4 HR hitters from each league. If there is a tie, let last years total be the tie breaker.

I also agree on the skills challenge. The "Celebrity" Softball Game is the greatest excuse in the world to turn OFF the TV. I would like to see that replaced by something like:

- the equivolent of speed pitch at the carnival for the pitchers

- something like the WR challenge in the NFL for the infielders. Balls would be shot out from a machine in different directions testing their glove and their range with the an accurate throw to first giving bonus points

- Throw to a targert at 2nd, 3rd, and Home for outfielders. Most accurate wins.

And to completely shake things up, I would like to take the manager voting out of the All-Star selection. It makes me sick when I think of how many white sox made this years team. I think that the fans should get 51% of the vote and the players should get the other 49%. This might also help balance out the amount of NY and Boston players that make the team. The top 2 vote getters at each position would get taken. Then the top 3 remaining players would get taken. The top 4 starters and the top 4 relievers would get taken. No more of the "each team has to have a representative" stuff either. Oh well, that's what you could count on from me if I were Commish for a day!!!!